Saskatoon, SK Meeting Planning Overview

Welcome to Cvent's MICE guide to Saskatoon, a vibrant, active, beautiful city along the South Saskatchewan River. The river actually runs right through the city, requiring eight bridges that span east to west. As Saskatchewan's largest city and a hub for education and commerce, Saskatoon is home to the 20,000-student University of Saskatchewan. Delegates meeting in Saskatoon have their pick of a variety of unique venues, more than 800,000 square feet of state-of-the-art function space, over 4,800 hotel rooms (and growing), a vibrant arts community, boutique shopping, lush parkland, unique heritage sites, and more restaurants per capita than any other Canadian city. When it comes to hosting meetings, Saskatoon boasts a solid reputation as a true convention and event destination, and it offers the best of both worlds: big-city luxuries with small-town charm.

Event attendees traveling to Saskatoon can fly into the Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport. Located just 10 minutes from downtown, the airport serves more than 1.3 million passengers each year aboard hundreds of one-stop connecting flights to major American, European, and Asian cities. It also offers full taxi service to anywhere in Saskatoon.

Transportation is available to Prairieland Park, Saskatoon's largest tradeshow and convention facility. After spending more than $16 million in infrastructure enhancements in recent years, the 136-acre park can accommodate meetings of up to 11,000 people throughout its 240,000-square-foot Trade Centre, Ag Centre, and Marquis Downs horse track with 5,800-person grandstand and on-site Sports on Tap bar. Most conventions take place in the Trade Centre's six halls, which are connected by a common foyer. Its newly renovated Hall A features five breakout rooms with a common area for plenary sessions of up to 1,500 people.

A second convention and event venue option, the versatile TCU Place in downtown Saskatoon, spans more than 104,000 square feet of space for conferences of up to 1,500, gala banquets, and tradeshows of up to 120 booths. TCU Place conveniently lies within walking distance of a variety of hotels, as well as 400 shops and restaurants. Its event spaces include the 2,003- seat Sid Buckwold Theatre; the 14,600-square-foot Grand Gallery; the 23,000-square-foot Centennial Hall; and the 22,400-square-foot Grand Salon. One of TCU Place's many assets is its versatility and variety of configuration options.

Aside from its sprawling Prairieland Park and TCU Place, Saskatoon is home to a variety of unique venues that easily accommodate group gatherings. The nearby Berry Barn welcomes groups of up to 400 people to enjoy an outdoor, country-style function amid private gardens, decks, a sand volleyball court, natural amphitheatre, and fire pit, all set along the banks of the South Saskatchewan River and flanked by a 28-acre berry orchard.

Champetre County is a Western-themed venue open by appointment only that welcomes guests to experience the Old West with whip-cracking demonstrations, square dancing, casino nights, live music, and much more in such facilities as the 400-person Town Hall and 150-person Howling Coyote Saloon. Groups can also step back into another part of history — bustling turn-of-the-century Saskatchewan — at Saskatoon's Western Development Museum. It features the largest indoor museum street in the province, spanning 30 buildings, including a working cafe and several spaces available for private events.

The Barn Playhouse, a barn turned community theatre, welcomes private events for up to 250 people in its dining room and features live music and horse-drawn carriage rides throughout the surrounding prairieland. Groups can gather in a restored heritage house, sprawling hall, and outdoor gazebo at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, which functions as the province's only accredited zoo. Team-building and leadership training opportunities abound at the 2,500-acre Blue Mountain Outdoor Adventure Centre, which offers one of the longest zip lines in the world, as well as a 3,000-square-foot log chalet for events. Groups can take in views of downtown Saskatoon and its opulent residences from the South Saskatchewan River while aboard the 64-foot Prairie Lily. Saskatchewan's longest passenger ship does both public and charter cruises, accommodating groups of up to 120 people for charter cruises and 75 people for sit-down events in its main cabin.

About Saskatoon, SK / Additional Info

Saskatoon is a city with endless adventure, enticing meeting and convention delegates to extend their stays to explore one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada.

From the revitalized Riversdale district to more than 80 kilometers of parkland trails along the scenic river valley to the burgeoning local food and drink scene, Saskatoon offers the opportunity to take it all in and explore this unique city in the heart of the Canadian prairies.

While visiting, don't miss cruising down the South Saskatchewan River on the Prairie Lily riverboat, or rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard to make the trip at your own speed. Sip craft spirits at Black Fox Farm & Distillery, one of the few farm-to-still distilleries in the country, whose oaked gin recently won a World Gin Award in London. Sleep under the stars and, if you're lucky, the northern lights, in an authentic teepee at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, which is being considered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Saskatoon also has a vibrant arts and culture scene that is being talked about around the globe following the recent opening of the Remai Modern. This modern art museum is home to works by Canada's famed Group of Seven artists, as well as the world's largest Picasso linocut collection and some of his ceramics. While at Remai Modern, visit the new Shift restaurant on the main level, which overlooks the river and serves local favorites such as chickpea fries (Saskatchewan exports 99% of the chickpeas across Canada), pierogies (the area has a large Ukrainian population), or a 9 Mile Legacy craft brew.

While downtown, eat at one of the Grassroots Restaurant Group's three restaurants, which feature many locally grown ingredients served with a creative spin. Led by celebrity chef Dale MacKay, Sticks & Stones specializes in Korean/Japanese fusion, Little Grouse on the Prairie has an Italian influence, and the award-winning Ayden Kitchen & Bar offers global comfort food.

All average costs based on U.S. Government Per Diem rates as published by the U.S. General Services Administration.

Cities Near Saskatoon, SK

Distance

Estimated Driving Time

Estimated Min. Flying Time

Estimated Flight Cost

Regina, SK

146 mi

2 hr 56 min

3 hr 39 min

CAD $504+

Lloydminster, AB

160 mi

3 hr 13 min

N/A

N/A

Saskatoon, SK Climate Information

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Avg. High (°F)

16

20

32

53

65

73

78

77

65

51

31

18

Avg. Low (°F)

-2

3

15

30

41

49

54

52

42

30

15

1

Rec. High (°F)

45

47

67

89

95

106

103

104

96

83

67

52

Rec. Low (°F)

-47

-42

-38

-18

14

26

35

27

18

-7

-28

-44

Rainfall (in)

0.6

0.4

0.6

0.9

1.4

2.5

2.1

1.7

1.5

0.7

0.5

0.5

Known as one of the sunniest cities in Canada, Saskatoon has a four-season climate with warm summers and cool winters. Summertime daytime temperatures range from 68°F to 95°F, while winter daytime temperatures range from -22°F to 41°F. Saskatoon sees an average 10 inches of rain each year, with most falling in the summer months, as well as an average 29 inches of snow.

Meeting Planning in Saskatoon, SK

TCU Place - Saskatoon's Arts and Convention Centre

Conveniently located in downtown Saskatoon, within walking distance of hotels and more than 400 restaurants and shops, TCU Place is a versatile, city-owned arts and convention centre boasting more than 104,000 square feet of convention space. It features 21 rooms with many configurations, as well as the three-tiered, 2,003- seat Sid Buckwold Theatre, which is known for its superior acoustics and expansive stage area. Specializing in conferences for up to 1,500 people, gala banquets, and tradeshows of up to 120 booths, TCU Place features many rooms with natural light and 19-foot ceilings. Large event spaces include the 14,600-square-foot Grand Gallery with expandable walls; 23,000-square-foot Centennial Hall; and 22,400-square-foot Grand Salon. Meeting amenities include in-house catering, technology support, and audiovisual services, as well as 2,000 surrounding parking spaces. TCU Place is about a 15-minute drive from the Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport.

Saskatoon, SK Meeting Venue Spotlight

Saskatoon Prairieland Park Corporation

Saskatoon's largest tradeshow and convention facility, the 136-acre Saskatoon Prairieland Park welcomes more than 1.6 million people a year to its conferences, meetings, tradeshows, and events. After spending more than $16 million in infrastructure enhancements in recent years, the park can accommodate meetings of up to 11,000 people. Located just five minutes from downtown Saskatoon, Prairieland Park hosts meetings and conferences in its Trade Centre, which features 240,000 square feet of meeting space throughout six halls, which are connected by a common foyer. The centre's newly renovated Hall A features five breakout rooms with a common area for plenary sessions of up to 1,500 people. Prairieland Park also features the 1,000-person Ag Centre for equine and bovine events; the Marquis Downs horse track, which features a 5,800-person outdoor covered grandstand, live thoroughbred racing, dining, indoor event space for 900 people, and outdoor space for 1,800 people; and the 364-person Sports on Tap bar, complete with 70 televisions, simulcast wagering, and games. Amenities include free paved parking for 3,000 cars, quality food service, and in-house audiovisual, lighting, and videoconferencing services.

Saskatoon, SK Airport Information

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (YXE)

Situated just 10 minutes from downtown Saskatoon, Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport welcomes more than 1.3 million passengers annually and serves hundreds of one-stop connections, including major cities in the United States, Europe, and Asia. It features shopping and dining options, free Wi-Fi, and more than 1,100 parking stalls just outside the terminal. Passengers can easily board Saskatoon Transit buses from the airport.

Saskatoon, SK Ground Transportation

Saskatoon Transit

Saskatoon Transit's fixed-route daily bus service operates 20 routes throughout the area. Major destinations served include the Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport, Prairieland Park, University of Saskatoon, and VIA Rail station. One-way bus fare is $3 for adults, $2.25 to $2.75 for children ages 5-18, and free for children under 5; 10-ride passes are $25 for adults, $21 for high school students, and $16 for elementary-age children.

VIA Rail

Saskatoon's VIA Rail station, located at 1701 Chappell Drive, is open Monday from 7 p.m. to midnight; Thursday from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. to midnight; and Sunday from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. The station is part of VIA Rail's Canadian route, which links Toronto and Vancouver.